HSUS Sues Florida Pet Store
The Humane Society of the United States (Washington) filed suit
in February against south Florida puppy dealer Wizard of Claws
for allegedly using misleading sales tactics and selling sick
puppies.
The suit claims that Wizard of Claws defrauds its customers
by misrepresenting the origin of the puppies sold, and by
selling “puppy mill” dogs that suffer from a wide
array of health problems.
The lawsuit, originally initiated by several consumers, alleges
that Wizard of Claws tells its customers that its dogs come
from a “few select breeders,” when many of the
dogs come from large-scale, out-of-state commercial breeding
operations.
The plaintiffs are asking for a court order prohibiting Wizard
of Claws from engaging in deceptive business practices. It
also seeks remedy for the individuals “deceived”
by Wizard of Claws’ “unfair business practices,”
according to HSUS.
Located in a strip mall in Pembroke Pines, Wizard of Claws
also sells teacup and toy breeds via its Web site. It was
the subject of a four-month investigation by a Miami television
news station. NBC 6’s “Puppy Heartbreak,”
which aired in February, said it found 160 dissatisfied customers
in 33 states and Mexico, most of whom complained puppies they
bought from Wizard of Claws got sick shortly after they were
purchased. Some died.
The lawsuit recently joined by HSUS was originally filed
by two South Florida lawyers on Dec. 11, 2003, on behalf of
customers that bought puppies from Wizard of Claws. [April
2006 PET AGE]
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